Imagine a day without water & do something

Submitted by Melissa Mullins

Imagine a Day Without Water is a national day of action on Oct. 21 to raise awareness about the value of water. Have you ever thought about where your drinking water comes from? What about where your wastewater goes? 

For the seventh annual day, we may take a few steps beyond imagining the reality of going without a resource as vital as water. We may take action by learning about the systems that deliver water to our homes and businesses each day.

According to the 2021 Annual Value of Water Index, a majority of Americans across all demographics support a strong investment in our nation’s water infrastructure. A bipartisan agreement can be a rarity, but in this case most people agree that reliable water service and supply are crucial. 

Meaningful investment in our water systems would provide access to quality water for everyone, resilient infrastructure, and more jobs. In fact, closing the water infrastructure investment gap would increase the GDP by $4.5 trillion over 20 years. 

As an individual, you may wonder where you fit into ensuring a day without water doesn’t become a reality in our community. It’s a daunting task, but our collective voice can make a real and lasting impact. 

Education is key. Take some time to learn about local water sources and what our water and wastewater utilities are doing to invest in our community. Consider joining like-minded people and reach out to decision makers and find where they stand on investing in water infrastructure. 

Here in McLennan County and Greater Waco, you can:

• Contact us at the Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research if you are interested in partnering with us on activities such as community water festivals and community water forums or follow us on social media @bu_crasr.
• Join Keep Waco Beautiful or other groups such as Group W Bench Litter Patrol for a creek, river, or lake clean-up.
• Attend a monthly meeting (3rd Thursdays at 4 p.m.) of the Sustainable Resource Practices Advisory Board.
• Find out how to contact your local officials and when they meet at any of the 21 cities in McLennan County – what’s going on with water where you live?
• Read the annual drinking water quality report, learn how zebra mussels have been eradicated from Lake Waco and more at Waco Water Utility Services. If you live in another city, similar info should be available to you on that city’s website.
• Live in an unincorporated area of the county? Learn about water and sewer improvements and more at the McLennan County website. 

No matter your reason for participating in Imagine a Day Without Water, continue the conversation with your friends, family, and co-workers about the value of water. A day without water doesn’t have to be inevitable. Let’s work toward a reality in which a day without water is something we only imagine. 

For information on Imagine a Day Without Water and how you can participate, visit the event website. 

Melissa Mullins is environmental education specialist with Baylor University’s Center for Reservoir and Aquatic Systems Research.

The Act Locally Waco blog publishes posts with a connection to these aspirations for Waco. If you are interested in writing for the Act Locally Waco Blog, please email Ferrell Foster at [email protected].